A 34-year-old member asked:
can you tell me more about otitis media?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
Dr. William Culvineranswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 30 years experience
Middle ear infection: This is typically a bacterial infection of the middle ear, not the outer ear(canal) or inner ear. It usually is triggered by a viral upper respiratory infection or allergies. Treatment involves decongestants, mucus thinners (guaifenesin), sometimes nasal or oral steroids, and usually antibiotics.
4.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. James Fergusonanswered
Pediatrics 46 years experience
Inflamation mid/ear: Otitis media is a broad term that includes various forms of inflamation of the middle ear. That space is like a cave in the skull, with the ear drum on one wall, a drain tube (eustacion tube) in the floor ; another wall composed by the skull ; the ear nerve. The walls make mucous which normally drains but can be trapped. Germs can feed on the trapped mucous ; cause infection.
4.6k viewsReviewed >2 years agoMerged
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Similar questions
A 21-year-old member asked:
What is otitis media?
3 doctor answers • 8 doctors weighed in
Dr. James Fergusonanswered
Pediatrics 46 years experience
Inflamation mid/ear: Otitis media is a broad term that includes various forms of inflamation of the middle ear. That space is like a cave in the skull, with the ear drum on one wall, a drain tube (eustacion tube) in the floor & another wall composed by the skull & the ear nerve. The walls make mucous which normally drains but can be trapped. Germs can feed on the trapped mucous & cause infection.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
How long does otitis media usually last?
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Anifat Balogunanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 29 years experience
Otitis Media: Otitis media can be used to mean a middle ear infection with pus in the middle ear, or fluid in the middle ear without infection. If there is pus, acute otitis media, the symptoms of pain, fever, malaise typically improve with a few days of using an anti-inflammatory and antibiotic. The fluid may take three months or longer to resolve.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Serious otitis media, can you tell me what can I do about this?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Cornelia Franzanswered
Specializes in Pediatrics
Be seen: What is serious otitis media? Have you been seen? Are you on antibiotics? Other things that can help include...Garlic/willow drops in the ear, homeopathic remedies like belladonna or pulsatilla or chamomille.. You can learn more form homeopathy at home by m panos or by seeing a homeopathic practitioner in your area.
4.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Please tell me what can otitis media become if left untreated?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. James Fergusonanswered
Pediatrics 46 years experience
Comfort measures: Some viral ear infections self heal in 2-4 day. Bacterial infections tend to persist and may lead to real complications. Infants need an early eval.If older if not better after 3-4 days, an evaluation and treatment is advised.Prior to antibiotics, hearing loss due to chronic middle ear disease was not uncommon and a significant complication called mastoiditis requires surgical drainage.
4.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Please tell me what can I do , if I have otitis media?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Alexander Gorupanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 29 years experience
Some debate: I would recommend seeing a doctor to establish the diagnosis. Then you may benefit from antibiotics, as well as other medicines to help the underlying cause. Don't recommend ignoring it.
4.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
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Last updated Apr 21, 2014
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